Camping Considerations

Information | Basic Rules | Driving | Living | Pack Green

Camping Tips

• Prior to leaving: Set up tent as you would to camp. Leave in the rain (remember to stake it down.) and re-examine set up. Also, use seam sealer on the sewn parts, and wax the zippers.
• Be sure your ground cloth/tarp under the tent does not peek out from the edge of the tent - it will pull the water under you and create a big puddle.
• Most tent stakes that come with it are worthless. Invest in the long ones and you will save much damage to your encampment/tent. Tent stakes go in the ground at an angle: \\\ ///, not ||||||. A good wind will pull out your tent and vertical stakes. Some people prefer the dog-tie-out-screws for tent stakes at the Brushwood site - they hold in almost any wind where straight stakes pull out easier. If not anchored properly, a strong wind turns a dome tent into a beach ball. And it will blow down a cabin style tent.
• The dual sided reflective tarps are worth the cost difference if you camp in the sun and want to sleep late.
• Pack enough clothes to cover needs: Hot, cold, wet and dry. They will all occur when you are camping. Pack more extra socks than you think you'll need. Pack clothing in waterproof containers, ziplocs, etc.
• Pack your ride-home clothes from the skin out and leave em in your car until after the event.
• A five-gallon bucket and one of those toilet plungers (red force cup/wood handle) can be used to do laundry in! Sit, have your coffee, bullshit with friends and do the wash at the same time.
• Sports drinks for rehydration (premixed, or dry in packets to mix with water). Lotta folks out there get burnt out, quite literally due to dehydration. Water, water, water!
• Layers are the way to go to remain comfortable.
• And the latest 'Must Have' item for campers, the new Giant Ziploc Bags. When there's dew on the grass, there's 100% humidity, and even unzipping your tent lets in saturated air. The big bags can hold pillows and blankets and clothing and keep them dry until needed, and are much more sturdy and reliable than the old garbage bag. And you can see what's inside of them.

What to Bring:

For many, this list could be endless, for others, minimalism is the rule. Most of us fall in the middle somewhere. We've compiled a set of fairly comprehensive packing lists.

DO bring and take your medications. Starwood is not the time to take a break from your mood stabilizer or anti-depressants. Be aware of the contraindications for every medication you are on. Drink water.

What not to Bring:

Besides weapons and other things illegal in the State of New York, we're pretty open. Be adult, be safe. Starwood is one week of the year, so please do not bring long standing grudges, animosity and excessive "attitude". Surely we can all agree to leave these things behind?

Food and Eating

On Site

Besides organizing potlucks amongst ourselves, there are ala carte food options available. Thus far we're enjoying the gustatory delights of the Blue Lady Cafe (pedestrian staples) and Phils Grill (primarily "Mediterranean").

Other Refreshments

• Coffee Bar. Nuff said.
• There's the Smoothie Bar (or at least there was last year) with Ice Cream, Chai and other refreshments.

In the Area

Local (less than 10 minutes away):
Sherman: Small, family owned grocery market (basic groceries), Sherman Pizza, The Corral (good Breakfast with the Amish), and other assorted fare.

A little further away (20+ minutes):
Mayville (East of Sherman at the intersection of 430 and 394) has a larger Quality Mart, plus the largest liquor store in the area (keep going east from Mayville a couple miles on 430 past 394, it's called "Mar Mar").

Even further: Many Starwoodians may be seen at the Wegmans store in Erie, PA. A few miles south of I-90 on Peach Street. There is also one in Lakewood, NY (86 to 394 West). Both are roughly equidistant from Starwood. (Beer and Wine are available at the NY store but not the PA store).

For restaurants in the Chautauqua Lake Region visit TourChautauqua.com.